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The collarbone, or clavicle, is a long, thin bone that connects the arm to the body. It is prone to injuries like fractures, dislocated shoulders, and separated shoulders. Due to its location in the body, the collarbone is susceptible to breaking if there is a serious force against the shoulder. It is also one of the most commonly fractured bones. The collarbone is associated with several muscles, including the levator claviculae muscle, trapezius muscle, and sternocleidomastoid muscle. Thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition causing symptoms such as pain and limited range of motion, can occur when nerves and blood vessels near the collarbone are compressed or irritated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscles that attach to the collarbone | Trapezius, Levator Claviculae, Sternocleidomastoid, Trapezoid, Conoid |
| Susceptible to injury | Clavicle fractures are common due to falls, trauma, or sports injuries |
| Treatment | Physical therapy, surgery in severe cases, over-the-counter pain relievers |
| Function | Connects the arm to the body, supports the shoulder blade, allows arm movement |
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What You'll Learn
The levator claviculae muscle
The levator claviculae is a rare accessory skeletal muscle, found in the posterior triangle of the neck in humans. It is present in only 2-3% of people and is considered a variant of normal human anatomy, rather than an abnormality.
The levator claviculae originates in the transverse processes of the upper cervical vertebrae and is inserted into the lateral half of the clavicle (collarbone). It serves as a rigid support for the scapula and free limb, allowing the arm a maximum range of movement. The muscle also covers the cervicoaxillary canal, protecting the neurovascular bundle that supplies the upper limb.
The embryologic origin of the levator claviculae is a subject of debate, with several hypotheses proposed. Some suggest it originates from neighbouring muscles, such as the sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, scalenus anterior, or longus colli. Others propose it arises from an additional segmentation of the ventrolateral muscle primordia of the neck. The muscle is commonly found unilaterally, predominantly on the left side, but can also be present bilaterally.
The levator claviculae was first documented by Leonardo da Vinci in an anatomical drawing, and later reported in 1813. Darwin described it as a muscle found in apes but rare in humans. Since then, only a small number of cases have been reported, and it is considered an infrequently recognized anatomical variant.
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Trapezius muscle
The trapezius muscle is a large, paired trapezoid-shaped surface muscle that runs from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae of the spine and laterally to the spine of the scapula. The muscle is named after its shape, which resembles a trapezium, also known as a diamond-shaped quadrilateral. The trapezius muscle is made up of long muscle fibres that span a large width of the upper back, enabling it to assist in postural attributes and spinal column support.
The trapezius muscle has three sections: upper, middle, and lower. These sections run from the base of the neck across the shoulders and down to the middle of the back. The upper section connects to the skull and neck, while the middle and lower sections attach to bones in the thoracic spine. The trapezius muscle is also connected to the lateral sides of the shoulder blade and collarbone.
The trapezius muscle plays a crucial role in maintaining and adjusting posture, as well as moving the head, neck, and upper back. It helps with various motions, including turning the head, twisting the torso, shrugging the shoulders, and moving the shoulders when lifting the arm or throwing something. The muscle works in conjunction with other muscles, such as the rhomboids, levator scapulae, serratus anterior, deltoid, and latissimus dorsi, to produce coordinated movements involving the scapula and shoulder.
Injury to the trapezius muscle can result in weakness when abducting the shoulder above 90 degrees, and dysfunction can lead to winged scapula or abnormal mobility and function of the scapula (scapular dyskinesia). Tearing or straining the trapezius is uncommon but can occur in bodybuilders lifting heavy weights or during high-velocity accidents like car crashes.
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Sternocleidomastoid muscle
The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a powerful neck muscle that allows you to bend your neck and turn or tilt your head. It extends from the mastoid process at the base of the skull to the collarbones (clavicles) and breastbone (sternum). The SCM is the largest muscle in the front of the neck and can be felt on both the right and left sides.
The SCM helps to stabilise the neck and is involved in various physiological movements. It is activated when turning the head from side to side, tilting the head towards either shoulder, or tilting the head backward or forward. It also plays an important role in maintaining posture and neck stability. SCM helps to lift the collarbone and sternum during inhalation, creating space for the lungs to take in air.
The SCM is associated with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jaw to the skull. SCM problems can cause pain and issues with the TMJ, such as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). Torticollis, or wryneck, is another condition associated with the SCM, characterised by a shortened, tightened SCM that causes the head to tilt to one side.
Injuries, tension, and stress can lead to pain and stiffness in the SCM. Treatment options include stretching, physical therapy, and osteopathic manipulation, and surgery in severe cases. Proper posture, regular exercise, and stress management techniques like yoga and meditation can help prevent SCM issues.
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Shoulder muscles
The collarbone, or clavicle, is a long, thin bone that connects the arm to the body. It is prone to injuries such as fractures, dislocated shoulders, and separated shoulders. The collarbone is the most commonly fractured bone, often occurring as a result of falling on an outstretched arm or direct impact to the shoulder.
The trapezius muscle attaches to the posterior border of the collarbone. The levator claviculae muscle, present in 2-3% of people, originates in the upper cervical vertebrae and inserts into the lateral half of the clavicle.
The collarbone plays an important role in shoulder movement and shoulder muscles can become strained from overuse or injury. Shoulder muscles can also be strengthened through exercises to improve flexibility and posture, which can help alleviate symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome. This condition occurs when nerves and blood vessels in the thoracic outlet, the space between the collarbone and first rib, become compressed or irritated.
Additionally, the collarbone is involved in conditions such as osteoarthritis, where protective tissue at the end of a bone wears down, and osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone. Treatment for collarbone-related conditions may include physical therapy, over-the-counter medications, and in more severe cases, surgery.
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Trapezoid and conoid ligaments
The collarbone, or clavicle, is a long, thin bone that connects the arm to the body. It serves as a strut between the shoulder blade and the sternum (breastbone). The clavicle is prone to injuries like fractures, dislocated shoulders, and separated shoulders.
The trapezoid and conoid ligaments are part of the coracoclavicular ligament (CCL), which serves as the primary support for the acromioclavicular ligament. Together, these two ligaments stabilize the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ), a major shoulder joint. The ACJ is a synovial plane joint that helps stabilize the shoulder girdle.
The trapezoid ligament is quadrilateral in shape and attaches to the trapezoid line on the inferior surface of the clavicle. It is thinner than the conoid ligament, which attaches to the conoid tubercle on the clavicle's inferior surface. The conoid ligament appears as an inferiorly pointing cone, with its superior clavicular attachment being wide and its inferior attachment being narrow.
The trapezoid and conoid ligaments work together to allow proper acromioclavicular apposition while preventing vertical scapular displacement toward the clavicle. The angled space between these two ligaments allows for slight scapular rotation about the clavicle.
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Frequently asked questions
The clavicle, more commonly known as the collarbone, is a long, thin bone that connects the arm to the body.
The trapezius muscle attaches to the posterior border of the collarbone. The levator claviculae muscle, present in 2-3% of people, attaches to the lateral half of the clavicle.
Collarbone pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, arthritis, or infection. It is one of the most commonly broken bones in the human body, often caused by falling on an outstretched arm or direct impact.
Mild collarbone pain can be treated with a modified version of the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen can also help manage pain. In more severe cases, physical therapy or surgery may be required.
Thoracic outlet syndrome refers to a group of conditions that arise when nerves and/or blood vessels in the thoracic outlet become compressed or irritated. This can occur when the collarbone slips down and forward, putting pressure on the underlying structures. Symptoms include pain just above the collarbone, and treatment typically involves physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles.
